15 houseplants for improving indoor air quality
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A breath of fresh air
In the late '80s, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America studied houseplants as a way to purify the air in space facilities. They found several plants that filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Lucky for us the plants can also help clean indoor air on Earth, which is typically far more polluted than outdoor air. Other studies have since been published in the Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science further proving the science. (Text: Julie Knapp)
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Comments
chlorophytum comosum this plant absorbs carbon monoxide plant it as much as you can in cities
mother in law's tongue is no surprise. She comes over for the weekend and the smoker husband disappears out somewhere 'till she's gone thus clearing the air immensely.
Many of these plants actually ARE very toxic. Search each plant.
I can't get a vegetable past the lips of my pug, do dogs pick a leaf up from the floor and eat it? My cats ate the spider plants, I hope these are not poisonous - although my cats didn't die!
you can buy that plastic rug-type stuff that you put on carpet under rolling office chairs (I'm not sure what it is called) that has the spikes on the bottom to prevent from sliding and put that under your plants if they are indoors. Cut to size if needed and lay with spike side facing up. this will keep your pets from eating the plants!
Any of the plants on the list which can be toxic to pets can be hanging plants well out of reach of pets (and children, for that matter) and still do their "work" for you :-)
I especially enjoy Pothos, Philodendron, and Spider plants, myself! Aloe, is great for burns, too, as the article says. I found a few on the list that I don't have, though, and want to add to my little jungle :-)
Except that hanging plants can still drop leaves, which pets can then eat.
Most of the plants listed in this article are contained in the ASPCA's list of plants toxic to dogs (did not check out cats).
I know it's not "non-toxic" but I've had good luck growing pothos in hanging planters in my home which is usually shaded due to excessive sunlight (heat) in west-facing apartment. Except if it's cold outside, of course. The plant seems to thrive on artificial (fluorescent) lighting, but I try to get full spectrum variety bulbs. And of course, if you have pets or small children, hanging them is the best way to keep them out of harms way.
Philodendron is great for low light. When they get spindly, just cut them back and place the cuttings in water A Hoya (Hoja?) (spelling) - popular in South America is another succulent that is extremely low maintenance, but loves sun, also, Jade Tree or Plant, it's all semantics, (which is purported by the Feng Shui-ers to bring good luck, especially when arranged with 2 on the bottom, and a third on top (think a shelf that forms a Christmas Tree shape of plants!) Good Luck!
I bought a couple Peace Lilies for my favorite dry cleaner... they spend a lot of time around the chemicals that just come off the clothes there. (They don't clean on premises. But fumes off-load from the racks.) I've also got some good ideas now for perfect housewarming and new office gifts since those environments are bound to have copious chemicals wafting through the air from new furniture, paint, carpet.... Just need to case their lighting situation and get the least green-thumb.... More
I googled a very extensive list of non-toxic house plants. It is quite extensive and was very helpful to me and my 7 cats. The web site is: www.cfa.org/articles/plants-non-toxic.html Hope this helps!!
I 'd love to know which plants are good for cleaning the inside air in an appartment that has little sunlight.
mother in law tongue, money plant and areca palm
All but three of these palnts are toxic to cats and dogs: Spider plant, Gerber daisy, Bamboo palm.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Thank you.
I just looked those up on the same website and they are NOT toxic to dogs or cats. You can have those in your house without worrying about your pets! :)
After readying your post I thought I would look it to double check that they are NOT toxic like you said. I don't think you looked at the website at all because they ARE toxic to cats and dogs. I am glad that I looked for myself. I love my dogs way to much to arm them because of a plant. I am sticking with the Gerber Daisy.
Wonderful idea but I must have plants that are cat friendly. My cats see any plants or flowers that I bring into the house as a salad, so I need non-poisonous plants.
Grow a pot of cat grass (seed available in pet stores - look for Cosmic Kitty brand) and a small pot of catnip (at the florist in the spring) and Kitty will get HER veggies - not YOURS!!!!
Good Luck!!!
I don't know if they still do this, but 30 yrs ago when my children were little, the Poison Control Center had a small booklet that identified poisonous and non-poisonous plants. It was very helpful. Not complete, but good. There are also plant books that identify non-poisonous plants. I had a house full of them - wish I could remember what they were. Sorry.
I don't know if they still do this, but 30 yrs ago when my children were little, the Poison Control Center had a small booklet that identified poisonous and non-poisonous plants. It was very helpful. Not complete, but good. There are also plant books that identify non-poisonous plants. I had a house full of them - wish I could remember what they were. Sorry.
Got a couple of plants from this list..But never knew they're helping me so much..Gotta hug them everyday for this..Going to try growing the other plants too..Thanks for the valuable information!!
You inspired me! Thanks. You've given me ideas for different locations in the house.
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